Virginia Lee Mabarak

Virginia Lee Mabarak, 94, passed away at Vista Grande Inn in Cortez on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. She was born in Tulsa, Okla. on June 17, 1918, to Grace (Cook) Adair and John Adair.

Virginia married Shaffer Mabarak on Aug. 22, 1944, after moving to Tucson, Ariz. in 1940. They were married for 55 years until his passing in 1999. Virginia was working at the telephone company in Tucson when they met. She often recalled how after the attack on Pearl Harbor, armed guards were posted around the telephone company.

In the beginning, Virginia left the telephone company to stay home with her kids. However, when her children were older, she often helped Shaffer in his business, The Grant Road Tavern. She enjoyed working in the yard and had a beautiful rose garden. Virginia enjoyed playing cards with many of her friends. She was also a fantastic cook. Holidays like Christmas meant meals with several main dishes and desserts.

Virginia moved to Colorado in October 2011 to be with her loving son, John. She was a loving mother, grandmother and friend.

Surviving Virginia are her son, John Mabarak and wife Cynthia of Cortez; her daughters, Linda Richmond and husband Harry, and Debbie Neilson all of Tucson; her grandchildren, Michelle, Madeline, Bree, Hally, Logan, and Hunter; and her great-grandchildren, Brody, Chloe and Summer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Shaffer; her son, Walter; her parents, John and Grace Adair; and by her sisters, Ruth Arango and Jerry Torres.

Entombment will take place in Tucson later this week. Local arrangements are being made through Ertel Funeral Home. For further information or to send condolences, log on to www.ertelfuneralhome.com and click on the obituary section.